Modular faucet fixture

ABSTRACT

A plumbing fixture mounting component is attached to existing plumbing pipes and valve fixtures. Modular faucet fixtures with spouts, handles, and bases are interchangeably mounted on the mounting component without affecting the plumbing fixture connections.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 10/749,014, filed on Dec. 29, 2003.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to “modular” faucet fixtures and inparticular to a faucet spout fixture in which a plumbing fixturemounting component is pre-attached to an existing water faucet supplyplumbing fixture and a variety of different interchangeable spouts andhandles and bases may be replaced easily without affecting theconnections to the existing water faucet plumbing fixtures, therebypermitting the decorative portion of the plumbing fixture, the base,spout and handles, to be interchangeably removed and replaced by anunskilled person with a screw driver without affecting the plumbingconnections.

2. Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37CFR 1.97 and 1.98

A number of types of fluid discharging fixtures such as decorativeshower or faucet heads, as well as faucet handles, are known in the art.They are typically used in kitchens, bathrooms, shower stalls andbathtub/shower combination units to disburse a supply of water into aseries of jet streams, with the added feature of accentuating a room'smotif or decor. It is often desirable to provide decorative kitchen orbathroom fixtures, such as decorative shower or faucet heads, whichcoordinate with the existing decor of the room or can be easily adaptedto the future decor of the room.

Numerous attempts have been made to create low cost, selectable andinterchangeable decorative shower and faucet heads, which decorativelycoordinate with the present and future surrounding decor of the room.However, most attempts have been unsatisfactory because of a number ofproblems such as inconvenience, time and costs spent in replacingvarious parts of a decorative shower or faucet head in order to achievea coordinated decorative look.

Prior art U.S. Patent Application #20030062087, published Apr. 3, 2003by Burns, concerns a quick connect/disconnect faucet water conduitassembly includes at least one valve body and a spout nipple. There is awater tube extending from the valve body and a water tube extending fromthe spout nipple. A conduit has first and second terminations and thereis a quick connect adapter attached to each of the first and secondterminations. There are cooperating elements on each of the tubes andthe quick-connect adapters for locking the tubes to the adapters tothereby attach the valve body to the spout nipple.

Prior art U.S. Pat. No. 6,301,727, issued Oct. 16, 2001 to Bertrand,discloses a modular tub spout assembly for use in removably attaching atub spout on a threadless water pipe extending outwardly from a bathwall without affecting connection of the pipe to a water supply systembehind the bath wall. The device includes a tub spout insert, a sleeveand a seal member. The insert has an interior passage, at least aportion of which is of a size to provide a close, but sliding, fit onthe pipe. The sleeve has an internal diameter providing a close, butsliding, fit on the pipe and there is a chamber in the insert formed andadapted to closely fit about the sleeve exterior. The seal member isalso positioned within the chamber in the insert. A fastener extendswithin the aligned openings in the insert and sleeve to fix the inserton the pipe. There is a tub spout shell extending over and enclosing theinsert and a fastener to attach the shell to the insert.

Prior art U.S. Pat. No. 6,256,810, issued Jul. 10, 2001 to Baker, showsan easy connect and disconnect faucet spout assembly, which is mountableon a deck from above the deck. The assembly is connected to a watersupply line that extends through an opening in the deck. The assemblyincludes a spout removably connected to a mounting plate. A first and asecond member, respectively, connect to non-rotatable nut membercarrying a retainer member whereby, on shifting the nut member towardthe underside of the deck, the retainer member will clamp the assemblyto the deck.

Prior art U.S. Pat. No. 6,360,770, issued Mar. 26, 2002 to Buchner,provides a modular lavatory faucet spout mounting. A faucet spoutfixture is provided for spout mounting and removal from above asupporting surface such as a sink deck, without disconnection of thewater supply conduits beneath the sink deck. The fixture includes afaucet spout, which has a water passage and a water discharge incommunication with the passage. There is a water inlet in the spout,which communicates with the passage. A water supply assembly is locatedbeneath the supporting surface and there is a spout waterway adjustablyconnected to the water supply assembly, which spout waterway extendsinto the spout water inlet. There is a clamp member adjustably mountedon the spout waterway to be positioned against and on top of thesupporting surface sink deck. A spout fastener extends through anopening in the clamp member and is held in position therein by a portionof the spout waterway. The spout fastener adjustably cooperates with athreaded bore on the spout to removably fasten the spout against and ontop of the supporting surface.

Prior art U.S. Pat. No. 3,790,966, issued Feb. 12, 1974 to Keane, is fora quick-change faucet, which can be attached to a sink working entirelyfrom above, except for attaching the riser pipes to the shut-off valves.The riser pipes are first attached to the hot and cold water valvesbefore mounting the faucet on the sink, and the riser pipes are passeddown through holes in the sink ledge, which are big enough in diameterto pass the fittings. The bottom ends of the riser pipes are thenconnected to the shut-off valves. The water-mixing manifold, or castfaucet housing, has provision for passing mounting bolts downwardlythrough bolt-holes, and these bolts are screwed down into threadedbushings that are secured in openings in the sink ledge. The mountingbolts are turned down into the bushings from above the sink, instead ofreaching up under the sink into the almost inaccessible area behind thesink.

Prior art U.S. Pat. No. 6,195,818, issued Mar. 6, 2001 to Rodstein,indicates an apparatus that provides for the quick and easy installationand removal of Roman Tub Spouts onto a water fitting. The apparatuscomprises a waterspout, a quick-connect member, a trim escutcheon, ahub, a pair of deck nuts and a lock washer. The quick-connect memberscrews into a Tee fitting, or the like, in the plumbing system. The hubscrews into the base of the spout and slidably engages the smooth end ofthe quick connect member. The trim escutcheon is disposed between thespout and hub to provide support to the hub and to conceal the hub whileproviding decorative ornamentation to the apparatus. Once the spout andtrim escutcheon are properly positioned on the quick connect member, asetscrew fastens the assembly in place. The deck nuts are positionedabove and below the tub surface to hold the apparatus in place on thetub surface.

Prior art U.S. Pat. No. 4,616,673, issued Oct. 14, 1986 to Bondar, isfor a replacement faucet handle kit of simple and inexpensive form,which includes a plurality of adapters each having a first end portionand a second end portion. The first end portions of the adapters aresubstantially identical and of non-circular, transverse cross-sectionalconfiguration, such as hexagonal transverse cross-section, complementaryto the transverse cross-sectional configuration of a recess in theunderface of the replacement faucet handle, and the second end portionof each adapter has a bore of non-circular, transverse cross-sectionalconfiguration, with the second end portion of each adapter differingfrom the second end portion of each remaining adapter with respect toone or more of the following characteristics, namely, the lengththereof, the length of the bore therein, the transverse cross-sectionalconfiguration of the bore therein, and the transverse cross-sectionaldimensions of the bore therein, the bores in the adapters havingtransverse cross-sectional configurations and dimensions which arecomplementary, and of corresponding length, to the upper end portions ofthe valve stems of faucet valves of different manufacturers. Thus, aselected one of the adapters, the bore in which has a transversecross-sectional configuration and dimensions complementary, and ofcorresponding length, to the upstanding end portion of a valve stem, maybe non-rotatably mounted on the valve stem, with the replacement faucethandle being non-rotatably mounted on the selected adapter the length ofthe second end portion of which is such that the replacement faucethandle is at substantially the same pre-determined level as the formerfaucet handle.

Prior art U.S. Pat. No. 6,138,296, issued Oct. 31, 2000 to Baker, aneasy connect and disconnect faucet spout assembly, which is mountable ona deck from above the deck. The assembly is connected to a water supplyline that extends through an opening in the deck. The assembly includesa spout removably connected to a mounting plate. A first and a secondmember, respectively, connect to non-rotatable nut member carrying aretainer member whereby, on shifting the nut member toward the undersideof the deck, the retainer member will clamp the assembly to the deck.

Prior art U.S. Pat. No. 5,803,120, issued Sep. 8, 1998 to Bertoli,indicates faucets for sanitary fixtures with interchangeable decorativeelements. The faucet comprises an externally unfinished hydraulicapparatus comprising at least one water delivery conduit and waterregulation means. The hydraulic apparatus is at least partly coveredwith sheathing elements in the form of rigid shells capable of definingthe external appearance of the faucet. The sheathing elements areprovided with shaped elements capable of meeting corresponding parts ofthe hydraulic apparatus to determine the correct position of thesheathing elements with respect to the hydraulic apparatus. Connectingmeans are provided for fastening the sheathing elements to one anotherand to the hydraulic apparatus.

Prior art U.S. Pat. No. 5,797,422, issued Aug. 25, 1998 to Tokarz, putsforth a handle construction for operation of a faucet, which minimizesassembly parts while enhancing performance of the handle. The handleassembly includes a base, which is secured to the operating valve of thefaucet for operational control of fluid flow through the faucet. Anupper end of the base has a horizontally disposed tubular seat adaptedto receive a lever body and an axial spindle extending through the body.The spindle is threadably received within the seat to retain the leverbody within the seat. The lever body is interchangeable to alter theaesthetic appearance of the faucet handle.

Prior art U.S. Pat. No. 5,960,490, issued Oct. 5, 1999 to Pitsch,discloses a faucet fitting system that has interchangeable componentsuseable in both single handle and dual handle faucet fixtures. Thecomponent system is designed to allow the same putty plate with breastplate, waterway spout, aerator and mounting nuts to be used with thevarious escutcheons, metering valves and waterways associated with thesingle handle and dual handle faucet fixtures. Specially constructedwater valves, putty plates and escutcheon constructions useable inconjunction with the system are also disclosed.

Prior art U.S. Pat. No. 5,979,489, issued Nov. 9, 1999 to Pitsch,illustrates a faucet fitting system that has interchangeable componentsuseable in both single handle and dual handle faucet fixtures. Thecomponent system is designed to allow the same putty plate with breastplate, waterway spout, aerator and mounting nuts to be used with thevarious escutcheons, metering valves and waterways associated with thesingle handle and dual handle faucet fixtures. Specially constructedwater valves, putty plates and escutcheon constructions useable inconjunction with the system are also disclosed.

Prior art U.S. Pat. No. 5,465,749, issued Nov. 14, 1995 to Sauter,describes a top mounted faucet valve assembly that has a block memberwith a hinged arm which is fitted through from the top of a supportingsurface and actuated by a threaded actuating member. As the actuatingmember is turned in one direction, the hinged arm engages the undersideof the supporting surface. To disengage the faucet, the actuating memberis turned in the opposite direction, which permits removal. Both singleand dual handle faucets can be top mounted by the mounting assemblydisclosed herein. An aesthetically appearing faucet results wherein theactuating mechanism is hidden.

Prior art U.S. Pat. No. 4,762,143, issued Aug. 9, 1988 to Botnick,describes a faucet manifold that is adapted to be mounted on acountertop over openings through which access can be had towater-conveying conduits. The manifold includes a cover in the form of aplate overlying the openings. The plate is spaced from the surface ofthe countertop by a skirt extending downwardly from the periphery of theplate. Valve members, water-conveying conduits, and a spout assembly areconnected to, and carried by, the plate. All of the components of themanifold can be manufactured inexpensively, many of them in stampingoperations. The invention eliminates the need to form parts in castingoperations, thereby significantly reducing manufacturing costs.

Prior art U.S. Patent Application #20030093857, published May 22, 2003by Paterson, puts an interchangeable gooseneck faucet, which comprisesfaucet spout assembly providing multiple spouts with different heightsand curvature, which are interchangeable within the same faucet. Laminarflow from the spout is achieved with a flow control device upstream ofthe spout outlet A check valve is optionally used in the inlet to thespout to promote greater flexibility in placement of the flow controldevice within the assembly.

Prior art U.S. Pat. No. 5,779,146, issued Jul. 14, 1998 to Cutler,illustrates a decorative fluid discharging fixture that has a housing, aportion of which is generally translucent, a generally fluid-tightreceiving chamber, and a selective and interchangeable insert elementwhich is inserted in the housing by the user so as to be visible fromthe outside of the housing. The construction of a faucet handle forreceiving an insert element is also disclosed. The insert element mayinclude any type of decorative material, such as rug clippings,wallpaper, fabric, or window dressing material, that are used in thesurrounding room so that the decorative fluid discharging fixture cancoordinate with the overall motif or decor of the room.

What is needed is a modular faucet fixture in which the spout, handlesand base may be easily interchangeably replaced without affecting theconnections to the existing plumbing fixtures and pipes, therebypermitting the decorative portion of the plumbing fixture, the base,spout and handles, to be installed and replaced as desired.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide modular faucet fixturesin which a plumbing fixture mounting component is pre-attached to anexisting water faucet supply plumbing fixture, the water pipes orvalves, and any of a variety of interchangeable spouts, handles andbases that may be easily interchangeably replaced without affecting theconnections to the existing plumbing fixtures and pipes, therebypermitting the decorative portion of the plumbing fixture, the base,spout and handles, to be installed and replaced as desired by anunskilled person using only a screwdriver, without affecting theplumbing connections.

Another object of the present invention is to provide modular faucetfixtures that may be used by new or existing homeowners and constructioncompanies during remodeling, which saves on the cost of the remodelingprocess.

One more object of the present invention is to provide modular faucetfixtures whose decorative portions, base, spout and handles, can beinterchangeably removed and replaced to match home decor.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a systemwith three flexible faucet hookup hoses to give the option of choosinghow far the hot and cold water controls and the water spout are fromeach other.

A further objective of the present invention is to provide aninexpensive way to customize or remodel plumbing fixtures.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a system that iseasily mountable on countertops or walls, as well as on traditionalfixtures.

In brief, modular faucet fixtures provide spouts, handles and baseswhich may be easily interchangeably replaced without affecting theconnections to the existing plumbing fixtures and pipes, therebypermitting the decorative portion of the plumbing fixture, the base,spout and handles, to be installed and replaced as desired by anunskilled person using only a screwdriver, without affecting theplumbing connections.

Initially, at least one plumbing fixture mounting component ispre-attached to an existing water faucet supply plumbing fixtureconnected to the water pipes. Once the mounting component is in place,any of a variety of differently styled and shaped bases is slipped overthe mounting component and snapped into place by means of a spring andgroove or an O-ring and groove.

For modular faucet handles, the plumbing fixture mounting component isthreaded to the existing water pipe flow control valve or to the waterflow control pipe with the mounting component having a built-in controlvalve. Any of a variety of differently styled and shaped modular handlesmay then be attached easily and interchangeably to the mountingcomponent. A star-shaped protrusion from a modular handle is seated in astar-shaped recess in the top end of the mounting component. The handleis then secured in place by a screw into the top of the mountingcomponent, and covered by a decorative top plug, all without interferingwith the connection to the existing water control plumbing fixture.

For modular faucet spouts, the plumbing fixture mounting componentcomprises a flexible hose with a bottom element threaded to the existingwater pipes or standard existing plumbing fixture communicating with theexisting water supply pipes. Any of a variety of styles and shapes ofmodular water spouts may then be slipped over the flexible hose and snapfit to the bottom connecting element of the flexible hose mountingcomponent.

Various embodiments are provided for greater decorative choice.Embodiments with rectangular or cone shaped bases and curved faucetspouts are provided for added variety. In one alternate embodiment, acombined faucet spout and two-handled fixture for a one-hole plumbingfixture is provided having a base with upwardly angled handle platformsand an arched faucet spout. Another embodiment is provided with acombined faucet spout and two-handled fixture having a base plate withseparate elevated mounting platforms for each faucet handle and thefaucet spout.

The valve stems are all the same in the shower, sink, bidet and tub,making modular elements interchangeable to all fixtures.

An advantage of the present invention is that the parts areinterchangeable.

Another advantage of the present invention is that it is simple toinstall without required plumbing tools and without interfering withconnections to existing plumbing pipes and valve fixtures.

An additional advantage of the present invention is that it may bechanged at any time.

One more advantage of the present invention is that it may be used tomatch home decor.

Yet another advantage of the present invention is that it provides aninexpensive way to remodel or customize a room.

Still another advantage of the present invention is that the fixturescan be mounted on a counter top or on the wall.

One more advantage of the present invention is that three flexiblefaucet hookup hoses give the option of choosing how far the hot and coldwater controls and the water spout are from each other.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other details of my invention will be described in connectionwith the accompanying drawings, which are furnished only by way ofillustration and not in limitation of the invention, and in whichdrawings:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view in partial section of a faucet handlefixture and base of the present invention applied to a water pipe andsink showing a snap-fit connection spring between the base mountingposts and grooves in the water pipe attachment component;

FIG. 1A is a side elevational view in partial section of a faucet handlefixture and base of the present invention applied to a water pipe andsink showing a snap-fit rubber O-ring in a groove in the water pipeattachment component connecting with grooves in mounting posts in thebase;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the water pipe attachment component ofthe handle fixture of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the water pipe attachment component ofthe handle fixture of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the base and water pipe attachmentcomponent of the handle fixture of FIG. 1 with the handle in perspectivealigned for attachment to the water pipe attachment component;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the faucet handle fixture of FIG. 1showing the base and handle with the attaching screw and top plugaligned for attaching the handle to the water pipe attachment component;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of an alternate embodiment of thefaucet handle fixture showing the base and handle;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational partial perspective view of a faucetfixture and base attached to a water pipe on a sink countertop;

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of a rectangular embodiment of thefaucet fixture of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of a cone shaped base and curvedfaucet spout embodiment of the faucet fixture of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of a combined faucet spout and twohandle fixture having a base with upwardly angled handle platforms andan arched faucet spout;

FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of a combined faucet spout and twohandle fixture having a base plate with separate elevated mountingplatforms for each faucet handle and the faucet spout;

FIG. 11 is an elevational cross-sectional view of two modular verticalcomponents of the present invention aligned for interconnection with aprotrusion and detente forming a snap fit removable connection;

FIG. 12 is an elevational cross-sectional view of two modular verticalcomponents of the present invention interconnected with a spring-loadedprotrusion and tapered receiving wall opening forming a snap fitremovable connection;

FIG. 13 is an elevational cross-sectional view of three modular verticalcomponents of the present invention aligned for interconnection with afriction plug-in connection formed by a recessed smaller diameter top ofone modular component fitting into a mating bottom of a sleeve or amating bottom recessed groove of another modular component;

FIG. 14 is an elevational cross-sectional view of three modular verticalcomponents of the present invention aligned for interconnection withmating threaded connecting tops and bottoms of the modular components;

FIG. 15 is an elevational view in partial section of a modular verticalcomponent of the present invention having a protruding upwardly angledside sleeve for receiving a modular component faucet spout fixture shownboth as a separate element and attached to the modular verticalcomponent with a flexible hose modular component inserted through boththe vertical modular component and the modular faucet spout componentwith a threaded fastener on the end of the hose attached to a matingthreaded fastener at the mouth of the modular faucet spout;

FIG. 16 is an elevational cross-sectional view of a modular verticalcomponent of the present invention having a protruding horizontal sidesleeve for receiving a modular component faucet spout fixture;

FIG. 17 is an elevational cross-sectional view of the modular verticalcomponent having a protruding upward side sleeve of FIG. 15;

FIG. 18 is an elevational cross-sectional view of a modular verticalcomponent of the present invention having a protruding downwardly angledside sleeve for receiving a modular component faucet spout fixture;

FIG. 19 is an elevational view in partial section of a complete assemblyof modular faucet components shown with a bottom of the flexible hosesattached to a connector to an existing water supply conduit showing themodular vertical component having a protruding upwardly angled sidesleeve for receiving the modular component faucet spout fixture shownattached and a series of interconnected modular vertical componentsincluding a base modular component inserted in a countertop and a topmodular faucet handle component.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In FIGS. 1-19, a modular faucet fixture device with interchangeablemodular components comprising a plumbing fixture mounting component suchas a length of connector pipe 31 or a section of flexible conduit ortubing 41, which is pre-attachable to an existing water faucet supplyplumbing fixture pipe 60 by a standard threaded connector 61, as shownin FIGS. 1 and 1A or attached and sealed to a T connection 52 on a pipe51 for the tubing 41, as shown in FIG. 6. The plumbing fixture mountingcomponent 31 comprises a bottom end having a standard attaching means,such as the threaded connector 61 for interconnecting to a standardwater faucet supply plumbing fixture 60, which may be a water pipe orwater flow control. The standard attaching means on the bottom of theplumbing fixture mounting component 31 and 41 comprises a standardthreaded end 61 adapted for attaching to standard threaded ends ofstandard water faucet supply plumbing fixture 60 below a sink counter 50with the top end of the plumbing fixture mounting component 31 and 41adapted to be accessed from above a sink counter 50.

The plumbing fixture mounting component 31 and 41 also comprises a topend adapted for receiving any of a variety of replaceable modular waterfaucet components 23, 23A, 2313, 23C, 24, 24A, 24B, 24C, 24D, 43, 43A-H,43J-n, 44, 44A, 44B, 44C, 44D, and 48 removably attachable theretoindependently of the connection to the standard water faucet supplyplumbing fixtures 60 and 51 and 52.

In FIGS. 1-5, the plumbing fixture mounting component 31 comprises arigid shaft which may have an interior rotatable control valvecommunicating with a standard water supply pipe 60 or an interiorturning element for turning a standard rotatable water control valve inthe existing water faucet supply fixture 60. Modular water faucet handlecomponents 24, 24A, and 24B interchangeably connect to the plumbingfixture mounting component 31 by a screw 26 screwing into a top of themounting component coupled with a protrusion 25 from one, in this casethe handle, fitting into a mating recess 35 in the other, in this casethe mounting component, as shown in FIG. 3.

In FIGS. 6-10, the at least one plumbing fixture mounting component 31Acomprises a rigid shaft attached to a standard water supply fixture 60,a pipe, by a standard threaded coupling 61 or pair of couplings, asshown in FIG. 6. A flexible hose 41 extends from the top of the rigidshaft, the flexible hose communicating with the existing water faucetsupply fixture 60, the water pipe or pipes. The flexible hose 41 has athreaded connector 47 at a top end, and the at least one modular waterfaucet spout comprises any of a number of modular water faucet spoutsleeves 44, 44A, 44B, 44C, and 44D adapted for fitting over the flexiblehose 41 and the means for removably attaching the at least one modularwater faucet spout component to the at least one plumbing fixturemounting component comprises a mating threaded connector (inside theflexible hose threaded connector 47, on an outer end of the modularwater faucet spout adapted for threadably connecting to the threadedconnector of the flexible hose with the flexible hose communicating witha spout opening 49, independently of the connection 61 to the existingplumbing fixtures 60.

In FIGS. 1, 1A, 2, 2A, and 6, any of a variety of modular bases 23, 23A,23B, 23C, 23D, 43A, 43B, 43C and 43D are adapted for snap fitting on theplumbing fixture mounting component 31 and 31A by a means for snapfitting the base to the plumbing fixture mounting component withoutindependently of the connection 61 to the standard water faucet supplyplumbing fixtures 60.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, the replaceable modular base 23 and the mountingcomponent 31 each have mating grooves, side grooves or holes 18 on baseposts 19 and side grooves 32 on the mounting component and the means forsnap fitting the base 23 to the mounting component 31 comprises a springelement 22, which enables a removable snap fit therebetween.

In FIGS. 1A, 2A, and 6, the base 23 and 43A and the replaceable waterfaucet mounting component 31 each have mating grooves, side grooves 18on base posts 19 and 19A and an annular groove 32A around the mountingcomponent 31 and 31A and the means for snap fitting the base 23 and 43Ato the replaceable water faucet component 31 comprises an O-ring element17, which enables a removable snap fit therebetween. In FIG. 6 the base43A is combined with the modular faucet spout 44.

In FIGS. 11-19, modular water faucet components 43E-H and 43J-N areremovably interconnected by a removable means of interconnecting takenfrom the list of removable means of interconnecting including a frictionplug in connection such as a recessed smaller diameter top 72 of onemodular component fitting into a mating bottom of a sleeve or a matingbottom recessed groove 72A of another modular component as in FIG. 13.In FIG. 11, another removable protrusion 71 in a detente 70 snaptogether connection. In FIG. 12 a spring-loaded (by spring 73)protrusion 71A and tapered receiving wall opening 70A forming a snap fitremovable connection. In FIG. 14, a hand threaded connection withbroadly spaced mating threads 72B and 72C interconnect the bottoms andtops of the vertical modular components 43G, 43H, and 43J. All of thereplaceable modular water faucet components are interchangeable withother modular water faucet components having mating connectors.

In FIG. 15 a modular vertical component 43K of the present invention hasa protruding upwardly angled side sleeve 75A for receiving a modularcomponent faucet spout fixture 44 shown both as a separate element andattached to the modular vertical component by narrowed faucet base end77 being inserted with a friction fit into the mating end opening 76 ofthe sleeve 75A. A flexible hose modular component 41 is inserted throughboth the vertical modular component 43K and the modular faucet spoutcomponent 44 with a threaded fastener 41A on the end of the hoseattached to a mating threaded fastener 47, which may be angled is inFIG. 15 or flat as in FIG. 6, at the mouth of the modular faucet spout;

In FIG. 16 a modular vertical component 43L has a protruding horizontalside sleeve 75B for receiving a modular component faucet spout fixture.

In FIG. 17, the modular vertical component 43K has a protruding upwardside sleeve 75A is shown without the modular faucet spout attached.

In FIG. 18, a modular vertical component 43M has a protruding downwardlyangled side sleeve 75C for receiving a modular component faucet spoutfixture.

In FIG. 19, a complete assembly of modular faucet components has with abottom of the flexible hoses 41 attached to connectors 55 to an existingwater supply conduit. The modular vertical component 43K has aprotruding upwardly angled side sleeve 75A for receiving the modularcomponent faucet spout fixture 44 shown attached. A series ofinterconnected modular vertical components 43G, 43K, and 43J include anattached base modular component 43N inserted in a countertop 50 and atop modular faucet handle component 24E.

In practice, a plumbing fixture mounting component 31 and 31A would bemounted to an existing water faucet supply fixture 60 by a standardthreaded connection 61. Once the plumbing fixture mounting component 31and 31A is in place any of a variety of styles and sizes of spouts 44,44A, 44B, 44C or 44D, handles 24, 24A, 24B, 24C, and 24D and bases 23,23A, 23B, 43A, 43B, 43C or 43D may be interchangeably removed andreplaced from above the sink counter top 50 without affecting theconnections to the existing water faucet supply fixtures. The sameconcept could be applied to showers.

It is understood that the preceding description is given merely by wayof illustration and not in limitation of the invention and that variousmodifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit ofthe invention as claimed.

1. A modular faucet fixture device with interchangeable components, thedevice comprising: at least one plumbing fixture mounting componentpre-attachable to an existing water conduit, the at least one plumbingfixture mounting component comprising a bottom end having a flexiblewater conduit and a means for interconnecting the flexible water conduitto an existing water conduit and a top end adapted for integrating withany of a variety of replaceable modular water faucet componentsremovably attachable thereto independently of the means forinterconnecting the flexible water conduit; at least one replaceablemodular water faucet component comprising at least one modular baseadapted for removably attaching to the at least one plumbing fixturemounting component, at least one modular water faucet handle and atleast one modular water spout adapted for removably mounting to the atleast one plumbing fixture mounting component without interconnecting tothe means for interconnecting the flexible water conduit to an existingwater conduit, the at least one modular water faucet componentsremovably interconnected by a removable means of interconnecting takenfrom the list of removable means of interconnecting including a frictionplug in connection, a protrusion in a detente snap together connection,and a hand threaded connection with broadly spaced threads, the at leastone replaceable modular water faucet component being interchangeablewith other modular water faucet components having mating connectors. 2.The device of claim 1 wherein the standard attaching means on the bottomof the at least one plumbing fixture mounting component comprises astandard threaded end adapted for attaching to standard threaded ends ofstandard water faucet plumbing pipes below a sink counter with the topend of the at least one plumbing fixture mounting component adapted tobe accessed from above a sink counter for attaching the at least onereplaceable water faucet components to the top without the need todisconnect an attachment to standard water faucet plumbing pipes.
 3. Thedevice of claim 1 wherein the at least one base and the at least onereplaceable water faucet mounting component each have mating grooves andthe means for snap fitting the base to the at least one replaceablewater faucet component comprises a spring element enabling a removablesnap fit therebetween.
 4. The device of claim 1 wherein the at least oneplumbing fixture mounting component comprises a rigid shaft attached toa standard water supply pipe and the means for removably attaching theat least one water faucet handle component to the at least one plumbingfixture mounting component comprises a screw connection coupled with aprotrusion from one fitting into a mating recess in the other.
 5. Thedevice of claim 1 wherein the at least one plumbing fixture mountingcomponent comprises a section of flexible conduit or tubing or hose anend of which is pre-attachable by a water-sealed T connection on a waterpipe, the flexible conduit or tubing or hose having a threaded connectorat a top end, and the at least one modular water faucet spout comprisesa water faucet spout sleeve adapted for fitting over the flexible hoseand the means for removably attaching the at least one modular waterfaucet spout component to the flexible conduit or tubing or hosecomprises a threaded connector on an outer end of the flexible conduitor tubing or hose threadably connected to a mating threaded connector ata spout opening.